System, method and apparatus for multiple modes of exercise

ABSTRACT

An application for a dual use weight lifting apparatus includes a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions has a mating surface opposing the handles. The apparatus includes a way to removably hold the independent weighted portions together at the mating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight lifting apparatus. The independent weighted portions are used as kettle weights when disconnected and as medicine balls when connected.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of exercise/body building and moreparticularly to a system of weights for individual arm exercise as wellas both arm exercising.

BACKGROUND

Kettle bells have become a very important exercise tool. Kettle bellsare generally bowling ball-sized cast iron weights with a single loopedhandle, ranging in weight starting from two pounds. Some kettle bellsweigh more than 100 pounds.

The use of kettle bells started in Eastern Europe, moving to the UnitedStates thanks to fitness programs like CrossFit. Kettle bells are nowfound in cross-training or personal-training gyms. Kettle bell workoutsare intended to increase strength, endurance, agility and balance.Workouts using kettle bells challenge both the muscular andcardiovascular system with dynamic, entire-body movements. Kettle bellsare reported to help athletes get their “core” into top shape.

Lifting and controlling a kettle bell forces the entire body, andspecifically the core, to contract muscles as a group, building strengthand stability at the same time. Multiple muscle groups are engaged atonce, providing a whole-body workout in a short workout.

Kettle bells are often used in home exercise equipment, along with someother basic training items like weighted medicine balls, pull-up bars,jump ropes and lots of free weights.

Weighted medicine balls provide different forms of exercise. Themedicine ball is usually between two and 25 pounds in weight and isroughly the diameter of the shoulders (e.g. approximately 14 inches).Medicine balls and are used effectively in plyometric weight training toincrease explosive power in athletes in all sports. Medicine balls areoften used to increase their core strength by kneeling and pushing theball out from one's chest or lifting the ball or performing differentexercises (such as sit-ups and leg raises) while holding the ball inorder to increase the stress on a particular muscle or groups of musclessuch as arm, chest, and leg muscles.

There are good reasons for using both kettle bells and medicine balls toexercise different groups of muscles, but there is no existing devicethat will perform both functions.

What is needed is a device that will provide exercise as kettle bellsand as a muscle ball.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a dual use weight lifting apparatus is disclosedincluding a first independent weighted portion and a second independentweighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handlessuitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weightedportions has a mating surface opposing the handles. The apparatusincludes a way to removably hold the independent weighted portionstogether at the mating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight liftingapparatus. The independent weighted portions are used as kettle weightswhen disconnected and as medicine balls when connected.

In another embodiment, a method of exercising is disclosed includingproviding a first independent weighted portion and a second independentweighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handlessuitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weightedportions has a mating surface opposing the handles. Each of theindependent weighted portions also has magnets interfaced with eachmating surface. The method of exercising continues with separating theindependent weighted portions by applying an external force to overcomeattraction forces between the magnets and using the independent weightedportions as kettle weights then, later, joining the independent weightedportions by force of the magnets and using the joined independentweighted portions as a medicine ball.

In another embodiment, a dual use weight lifting apparatus is disclosedincluding a first weighted portion that has a first handle suitable forgrasping by a user and has a first mating surface. The first matingsurface opposes the first handle. A similar second weighted portion hasa second handle also suitable for grasping by the user and has a secondmating surface. The second mating surface opposes the second handle.There is at least one magnet interfaced with the first mating surfaceand at least one magnet interfaced with the second mating surface. Themagnets attract each other when the first mating surface is engaged withthe second mating surface, thereby removably holding the first matingsurface to the second mating surface until an external force separatesthe first mating surface from the second mating surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of kettle weights of the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a medicine ball of the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates plan view of a dual-use weight, separated for use askettle weights.

FIG. 4 illustrates plan view of a dual-use weight, joined for use askettle weights.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one part of a pair of dual-useweights with a magnetic strip.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one part of a pair ofdual-use weights.

FIG. 7 illustrates plan view of the dual-use weights, joined for use askettle weights with an optional latch.

FIG. 8 illustrates plan view of the dual-use weights, joined for use askettle weights with hook and loop material.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pair of dual-use weightsshowing an optional keying mechanism for holding the dual-use weightstogether.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optional weightextension for use with the dual-use weights.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another optional weightextension for use with the dual-use weights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description,the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, plan views of kettle weights and a medicineball of the prior art are shown. The kettle bells 10 of FIG. 1 aregenerally bowling ball-sized cast iron weights with a single loopedhandle, ranging in weight starting from two pounds. Some kettle bellsweigh more than 100 pounds. Kettle bell workouts are intended toincrease strength, endurance, agility and balance. Workouts using kettlebells 10 challenge both the muscular and cardiovascular system withdynamic, entire-body movements.

Lifting and controlling a kettle bell 10 forces the entire body, andspecifically the core, to contract muscles as a group, building strengthand stability at the same time. Multiple muscle groups are engaged atonce, providing a whole-body workout in a short workout.

Weighted medicine balls 20 as in FIG. 2 provide different forms ofexercise. The medicine ball 20 is usually between two and 25 pounds inweight and is roughly the diameter of the shoulders (e.g. approximately14 inches). Medicine balls 20 optionally have handles 22 for grasping.Medicine balls 20 are often used to increase their core strength bykneeling and pushing the medicine ball 20 out from one's chest orlifting the medicine ball 20 or performing different exercises (such assit-ups and leg raises) while holding the medicine ball 20 in order toincrease the stress on a particular muscle or groups of muscles such asarm, chest, and leg muscles.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, plan view of a dual-use weight, separatedfor use as kettle weights (FIG. 3) and joined for use as kettle weights(FIG. 4) are shown. The dual-use weights 30 include two, preferablysymmetrical, halves or weighted portions 32, each having a hand grip 34.Each weighted portion 32 has a mass or weight determined by the materialfrom which it is made plus an optional mass 40. It is preferred that themass 40 is symmetrical and situated centrally to an axis of the handle32 of the weighted portion 32, thereby providing uniform, symmetricalweight distribution.

When each weight half 32 is positioned near the other, magnets 36/38having oppositely oriented fields attract each other and the magneticforce pulls each weighted portion 32 towards each other and holds theweight halves 32 together as shown in FIG. 4. For example, magnets 36are oriented with their north poles to the left and south poles to theright, thereby having a north/south interface between the two weightedportions 32. In this example, the poles of the second pair of magnets 38are either oriented in the same way with their north poles to the leftand south poles to the right or opposite with their north poles to theright and south poles to the left. In embodiments where the poles of thesecond pair of magnets 38 are oriented in the opposite direction, theweight halves can only join in one orientation and cannot join rotatedby 180 degrees.

When the weighted portions 32 are joined, it is preferred, though notrequired, that the faces 42 of the weight halves 32 abut cleanly withoutgaps.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a perspective view of one part of a pair ofdual-use weights 30 with a magnetic strip 50 and a cross-sectional viewof one part of a pair of dual-use weights are shown. As shown in FIG. 4,it is preferred that the weighted portions 32 abut cleanly along joiningline 42. When magnetic strip material 50 is used to hold the weightedportions 32 together, it is preferred, though not required, that themagnetic strip 50 be set within a groove 52, keeping the faces 42 of theweighted portions 32 as planar as possible.

Referring to FIG. 7, plan view of the dual-use weights 30, joined foruse as kettle weights with optional latches 60/62 is shown. In someembodiments, the magnetic force between the magnets 36/38/50 issufficient to hold the weighted portions 32 together. In otherembodiments or for safety reasons, the weighted portions 32 are furtherheld together with a latch 60/62. Although shown as a simple resilientlatch 60/62 in which the latch lever 62 stretches slightly to snap overa base 60, any other latch system is anticipated such as hook and eye,rotating latches, etc.

Referring to FIG. 8, plan view of the dual-use weights 30, joined foruse as kettle weights with hook and loop material 72/74 is shown. Inthis alternate embodiment, the weight halves 32 are held together byhook material 72 interfacing with loop material 74. In one embodimentusing hook 72 and loop 74 material, the hook 72 and loop 74 material isrecessed slightly in a recess 70 to allow a closer connection betweenthe weighted portions 32.

Referring to FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view of a pair of dual-useweights 30 showing an optional keying mechanism 90/92 for holding thedual-use weights together is shown. In this embodiment, the key 90slides into the key hole 92. In some embodiments, the magnets 36/38 helpto hold the weight halves 32 together so they don't easily slide apart.

Referring to FIGS. 10, cross-sectional views of optional weightextensions 100/100 a for use with the dual-use weights 30 are shown. Asone desires more resistance, optional weight extensions 100/100 a areadded to one or both weight halves 32. In some embodiments, theextension 100 has an enclosure 102 with an attachment mechanism shown asmagnets 106/108 and an additional mass 110. In other embodiments, theextension 100 a has an enclosure 102 a with an attachment mechanismshown as magnets 106/108/116/118 on both sides and an additional mass110. The first extension 100 is useful for increasing the weight of theindividual weight halves 32, but having magnets 106/108 only on oneside, does not allow joining for use. The second extension 100 a is alsouseful for increasing the weight of the individual weight halves 32, buthaving magnets 106/108 on one side and magnets 116/118 on the distalside allows joining for use with both sides of the weighted portions 32together with one or more extensions 100 a between the weighted portions32. Although shown with separate magnets 106/108/116/118, any of thedescribed connection mechanisms are anticipated including magneticstrips 50, hook and loop material 72/74 and key/keyhole 90/92.Additionally, it is anticipated that in some embodiments, the weightextensions 100/100 a also include latches 60/62 that mate with thelatches 60/62 of the weighted portions 32.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above suchthat they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially thesame way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of itsattendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. Itis also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may bemade in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereofwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or withoutsacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein beforedescribed being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. Itis the intention of the following claims to encompass and include suchchanges.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual use weight lifting apparatus comprising: afirst independent weighted portion and a second independent weightedportion, each of the independent weighted portions having handlessuitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weightedportions having a mating surface opposing the handles; and means forremovably holding the independent weighted portions together at themating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight lifting apparatus;whereas the independent weighted portions are used as kettle weightswhen disconnected and the independent weighted portions are used asmedicine balls when connected.
 2. The dual use weight lifting apparatusof claim 1, wherein the means for connecting comprises magnets beneaththe mating surfaces such that the magnets beneath the mating surface ofthe first independent weighted portion attract the magnets beneath themating surface of the second independent weighted portion therebyremovably holding the first independent weighted portion together withthe second independent weighted portion.
 3. The dual use weight liftingapparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one catch, the catchinterfaced between the independent weighted portions, the catchremovably holding the independent weighted portions together.
 4. Thedual use weight lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means forconnecting comprises strips of magnets within grooves of the matingsurfaces such that the strips of magnets within the mating surface ofthe first independent weighted portion attract the strips of magnetswithin the mating surface of the second independent weighted portionthereby holding the first independent weighted portion together with thesecond independent weighted portion.
 5. The dual use weight liftingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for connecting comprises a keyon the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion and akeyhole on the mating surface of the second independent weighted portionthereby when the key is in the keyhole, the first independent weightedportion is removably held together with the second independent weightedportion.
 6. The dual use weight lifting apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe means for connecting comprises hook material on the mating surfaceof the first independent weighted portion and loop material on themating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby whenthe hook material is pressed against the loop material, the firstindependent weighted portion is removably held together with the secondindependent weighted portion.
 7. The dual use weight lifting apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first and second independent weighted portionseach include a mass centrally located behind the mating surfaces.
 8. Amethod of exercising comprising: providing a first independent weightedportion and a second independent weighted portion, each of theindependent weighted portions having handles suitable for grasping by auser and each of the independent weighted portions having a matingsurface opposing the handles; and each of the independent weightedportions having magnets interfaced with each mating surface; separatingthe independent weighted portions by applying an external force toovercome attraction forces between the magnets; using the independentweighted portions as kettle weights; joining the independent weightedportions by force of the magnets; and using the joined independentweighted portions as a medicine ball.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe magnets are beneath the mating surfaces such that the magnetsbeneath the mating surface of the first independent weighted portionattract the magnets within the mating surface of the second independentweighted portion thereby removably holding the first independentweighted portion together with the second independent weighted portion.10. The method of claim 8, further comprising at least one catch, thecatch interfaced between the independent weighted portions, the step ofjoining further comprising the step of closing the latch thereby holdingthe independent weighted portions together.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the means for connecting comprises strips of magnets withingrooves of the mating surfaces such that the strips of magnets withinthe mating surface of the first independent weighted portion attract thestrips of magnets within the mating surface of the second independentweighted portion thereby removably holding the first independentweighted portion together with the second independent weighted portion.12. The method of claim 8, wherein the mating surface of the firstindependent weighted portion further comprises a key structure and themating surface of the second independent weighted portion furthercomprises a keyhole structure thereby when the key structure is engagedwith the keyhole structure, the first independent weighted portion isremovably held together with the second independent weighted portion.13. A dual use weight lifting apparatus comprising: a first weightedportion having a first handle suitable for grasping by a user and afirst mating surface, the first mating surface opposing the firsthandle; a second weighted portion having a second handle suitable forgrasping by the user and a second mating surface, the second matingsurface opposing the second handle; at least one magnet interfaced withthe first mating surface; and at least one magnet interfaced with thesecond mating surface; whereas the magnets attract each other when thefirst mating surface is engaged with the second mating surface, therebyremovably holding the first mating surface to the second mating surfaceuntil an external force separates the first mating surface from thesecond mating surface.
 14. The dual use weight lifting apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the magnets are imbedded beneath the first and secondmating surfaces such that the magnets beneath the first mating surfaceattract the magnets beneath the second mating surface thereby removablyholding the first weighted portion together with the second weightedportion.
 15. The dual use weight lifting apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe magnets beneath the first mating surface are oriented such that anorth pole of the magnets within the first mating surface is closest tothe first mating surface and the magnets beneath the second matingsurface are oriented such that a south pole of the magnets within thesecond mating surface is closest to the second mating surface.
 16. Thedual use weight lifting apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one ofthe magnets beneath the first mating surface is oriented such that anorth pole of the at least one of the magnets beneath the first matingsurface is closest to the first mating surface and at least another oneof the magnets beneath the first mating surface is oriented such that asouth pole of the at least another one of the magnets beneath the firstmating surface is closest to the first mating surface and at least oneof the magnets beneath the second mating surface is oriented such that anorth pole of the at least one of the magnets beneath the second matingsurface is closest to the second mating surface and at least another oneof the magnets beneath the second mating surface is oriented such that asouth pole of the at least another one of the magnets beneath the secondmating surface is closest to the second mating surface.
 17. The dual useweight lifting apparatus of claim 13, further comprising at least onecatch, the catch interfaced between the weighted portions, the catchremovably holding the weighted portions together.
 18. The dual useweight lifting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the magnets are strips ofmagnets and the strips of magnets are affixed to the first and secondmating surfaces such that the strips of magnets on the first matingsurface attract the strips of magnets on the second mating surfacethereby holding the first weighted portion together with the secondweighted portion.
 19. The dual use weight lifting apparatus of claim 13,wherein the magnets are strips of magnets and the strips of magnets areset flush within grooves of the first and second mating surfaces suchthat the strips of magnets on the first mating surface attract thestrips of magnets on the second mating surface thereby holding the firstweighted portion together with the second weighted portion with minimalgap between the first and second mating surfaces.
 20. The dual useweight lifting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and secondweighted portions each include a mass centrally located behind the firstand second mating surfaces.